Discover the wild pearl of La Maddalena National Park, between white beaches and dreamy seabeds<\/em><\/p>\n Welcome aboard! Today we take you on a discovery of\u00a0Spargi<\/strong>, the third largest island in the La Maddalena archipelago and probably the most popular with visitors for its unspoilt nature and picture-postcard beaches. Uninhabited and wild, Spargi is a jewel of granite and maquis that offers some of the most beautiful coves in the Mediterranean.<\/p>\n If you are planning a\u00a0sailing trip in the Archipelago<\/strong>, Spargi will almost certainly be one of the main stops on your itinerary. And we at Sailing San Paolo, aboard our\u00a0vintage sailing ship Leonidas<\/strong>, we look forward to accompanying you on your discovery of this wonderful island.<\/p>\n In this comprehensive guide, we tell you everything you need to know about Spargi: the beaches not to be missed, the island's history, the secrets of its seabed and practical tips for making the most of your visit. Get ready to fall in love!<\/p>\n The island of\u00a0Spargi<\/strong>\u00a0lies in the heart of the La Maddalena archipelago, opposite the western coast of the main island, about 2 kilometres off the coast of Sardinia . With an area of over four square kilometres, it is the third largest island in the archipelago, after La Maddalena and Caprera .<\/p>\n The island is\u00a0uninhabited<\/strong>\u00a0and devoid of tourist facilities, and can be reached\u00a0exclusively by sea<\/strong>\u00a0. The ways to visit it are:<\/p>\n Organised boat trips<\/strong>the most convenient and recommended solution. Numerous operators depart from the ports of\u00a0Palau<\/strong>,\u00a0La Maddalena<\/strong>\u00a0e\u00a0Santa Teresa Gallura<\/strong>\u00a0with tours that include Spargi and the other islands of the archipelago . Our\u00a0Leonidas<\/strong>\u00a0awaits you in Palau for an authentic experience on board a vintage sailing ship.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Private boats<\/strong>If you have your own boat or hire one, you can reach Spargi independently. The waters around the island are generally calm and well protected.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Inflatable boats for hire<\/strong>This is a solution for those with navigation experience who want to manage the day independently.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Attention<\/strong>: Spargi is part of the\u00a0La Maddalena Archipelago National Park<\/strong>, established in 1994 to protect this unique ecosystem . It is essential to respect the rules of environmental protection: no anchoring on posidonia, no abandoned rubbish, no taking of sand or shells .<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Spargi has an almost circular shape, with indented coastlines that offer scenery of rare beauty. Its southern and eastern slopes are the most spectacular, with beaches of the whitest sand framed by granite rocks shaped by the wind and Mediterranean scrub that reaches down to the shoreline.<\/p>\n The hinterland is almost inaccessible, covered with dense vegetation of cysts, strawberry trees, junipers and mastic trees. This has preserved the island from anthropisation, keeping its wild character intact.<\/p>\n Spargi is not only natural beauty. The island holds traces of a fascinating past:<\/p>\n Prehistoric settlements<\/strong>traces of Nuragic settlements have been found, testifying to human presence since ancient times.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n The Roman wreck<\/strong>: in the depths of Cala Corsara lies the wreck of a\u00a035-metre Roman honorary ship from the 2nd century BC.<\/strong>, found in 1939. Part of its cargo is on display at the museum\u00a0Nino Lamboglia<\/strong>\u00a0of La Maddalena .<\/p>\n<\/li>\n The legend of Natale Berretta<\/strong>In the early 19th century, a certain Natale Berretta hid on Spargi to escape from prison. He managed to escape periodic inspections by the guards and, once his innocence was proven, decided to continue living on the island with his family .<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Military fortifications<\/strong>In the 20th century, the island was a military base during the two world wars. Today, its fortifications are an attraction, in particular\u00a0strong Zanotto<\/strong> on the northern slope, overlooking the sea and camouflaged by granite and vegetation .<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n We come to the heart of the guide: the beaches of Spargi. Here are the coves not to be missed during your\u00a0boat excursion in the Archipelago<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Cala Corsara<\/strong>\u00a0is undoubtedly the most famous beach on the island and one of the most beautiful in the entire Mediterranean. Located on the southern coast of Spargi, this small paradise bay was named\u00a0Italy's most beautiful beach in 2016<\/strong>\u00a0by the ranking of a famous holiday site, and included in 2018 by the American magazine\u00a0Forbes<\/strong>\u00a0among the seven beaches to visit in Italy .<\/p>\n Why it is so special<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Very fine white sand, almost floury<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Water fading from turquoise to emerald, from azure to deep blue<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Granite rocks shaped by the wind framing the bay<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Mediterranean vegetation reaching the shore<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Curiosities<\/strong>: It is said that Cala Corsara was an ancient pirates' den, hence the name. A magical place that enraptures for its wild nature and the colour contrast between the green of the maquis and the infinite shades of the sea.<\/p>\n How to visit<\/strong>Access is regulated to preserve this fragile ecosystem, and the number of daily visitors is limited. Cala Corsara has no tourist facilities (no bars, umbrellas or services), so it is essential to bring everything you need. It can only be reached by sea.<\/p>\n Cala Granara<\/strong>\u00a0is located on the south-east coast of Spargi and is considered one of the most beautiful coves in the archipelago. It is a lesser known but equally fascinating corner, perfect for those seeking tranquillity.<\/p>\n Why visit<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Calm, crystal-clear waters, ideal for paddle boarding and snorkelling<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Pink granite cliffs plunging into a sea of turquoise reflections<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Intimate and relaxed atmosphere, off the beaten track<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Council<\/strong>For a more authentic experience, talk to local fishermen (or experienced skippers) who often know hidden glimpses and the best times to visit unhurriedly.<\/p>\n Cala Soraya<\/strong>\u00a0(also called Cala Boomerang because of its crescent shape) is a small gem on the northern coast of Spargi, characterised by its white sand.<\/p>\n Features<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Less known and frequented than the main beaches<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Surrounded by large granite rocks sculpted by the wind<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Ideal for those seeking tranquillity and a more intimate contact with nature<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Attention<\/strong>To reach it, one must arm oneself with patience because there are no direct boat connections. Access is via a not always marked path from Cala Spalmatore, or by sea with small boats.<\/p>\n Cala Spalmatore<\/strong>\u00a0is considered the main beach of Spargi, located on the east coast. It is a true landmark for those visiting the island.<\/p>\n Why choose it<\/strong>:<\/p>\n It offers a perfect mix of natural beauty and comfort: fine sand, crystal-clear waters, a wide inlet that protects it from the wind<\/p>\n<\/li>\n It is the only beach on Spargi where small kiosks and services can be found in summer (which is rare for such a wild island)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n The seabed is rich in flora and fauna, perfect for snorkelling<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Ideal for kayakers, who can explore nearby creeks<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n How to get there<\/strong>Most people arrive by sea, but it can also be reached by a short footpath from some points on the island.<\/p>\n Conneri Cove<\/strong>, also known as\u00a0Love Cove<\/strong>, is located on the east coast of Spargi . It is a small cove framed by large granite boulders, with a romantic and intimate charm.<\/p>\n Why visit<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Atmospheric and sheltered<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Perfect for couples seeking a piece of paradise<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Clear waters and attractive seabed for snorkelling<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n On the south-western coast of Spargi are two lesser-known but equally fascinating coves:<\/p>\n Cala d'Alga<\/strong>characterised by soft pink sand, it is sheltered behind a semi-submerged rocky barrier.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Cala Piscioli<\/strong>It owes its name to the numerous fish that inhabit its waters, a paradise for snorkellers.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n On the east coast,\u00a0Cala Bonifazzinca<\/strong>\u00a0is a hidden gem, off the beaten track. It is not as famous as Cala Corsara, but those who discover it fall in love with its intimate atmosphere and wild beauty. Accessible mainly by sea, it is best to book an excursion or boat rental in advance to experience it at its best.<\/p>\n Cala Canniccio<\/strong>\u00a0is located nearby, and together with Cala Bonifazzinca forms a stretch of coastline characterised by large granite boulders and Mediterranean scrub.<\/p>\n On the north and west coasts are other lesser-known but worthwhile inlets:\u00a0Cala Pietranera<\/strong>\u00a0(to the north) and\u00a0Cala Piscioli<\/strong> (to the west) complete the panorama of the beaches of Spargi, offering wild and often lonely views<\/p>\n Spargi is not just beaches. The island offers numerous activities for those who love nature and adventure.<\/p>\n The seabed of Spargi is among the most spectacular in the entire archipelago. The crystal-clear waters allow one to observe:<\/p>\n A rich variety of fish: bream, damselfish, seabream, croaker<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Grasslands of\u00a0posidonia oceanica<\/strong>, fundamental for the marine ecosystem<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Rock formations sculpted by nature<\/p>\n<\/li>\n For the more experienced, the\u00a0Washington shoal<\/strong>\u00a0off Punta Zanotto, coloured by the red of the gorgonians<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Those who enjoy walking surrounded by nature will find at Spargi a network of small paths that locals have used for generations to move between hidden coves, viewpoints and traditional fishing areas.<\/p>\n Council<\/strong>If you visit in summer, leave early in the morning when the air is still fresh and silence accompanies every step. The most hidden passages, often marked only by traces of a path or piled stones, offer the most spectacular views.<\/p>\n Spargi is a paradise for birdwatchers. On the island and neighbouring islets (Spargiotto and Spargiottello), rare species such as:<\/p>\n The\u00a0tufted cormorant<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n The\u00a0seagull course<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n L\u2019bird of storms<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n In the most isolated areas of the maquis, one can encounter lizards, rare insects and even traces of small mammals .<\/p>\n For archaeology enthusiasts, Spargi holds some remains of Nuragic settlements, hidden among the Mediterranean scrub and rocks. These remains tell of the existence of a very ancient civilisation, still shrouded in mystery.<\/p>\n The best time to visit Spargi is from\u00a0May to September<\/strong>. In particular:<\/p>\n May and June<\/strong>ideal temperatures, already warm sea, less crowding<\/p>\n<\/li>\n July and August<\/strong>: high season, perfect weather but more crowds<\/p>\n<\/li>\n September<\/strong>Still summery temperatures, warm sea, decreasing tourists<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Spargi is a wild island with no facilities. Here is what not to forget:<\/p>\n Enough water<\/strong>\u00a0(essential!)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Packed lunch<\/strong>\u00a0and snacks<\/p>\n<\/li>\n High-protection sun cream<\/strong>\u00a0(possibly eco-friendly)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Mask and snorkel<\/strong>\u00a0for snorkelling<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Rock shoes<\/strong>\u00a0to walk on rocks<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Cap and sunglasses<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Towel<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Camera<\/strong>\u00a0(the views are worth it!)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Spargi is part of the Maddalena National Park. It is important to respect some basic rules:<\/p>\n Do not take sand, shells or rocks<\/strong>\u00a0(the fines are hefty!)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Do not anchor on posidonia<\/strong>\u00a0(protected species)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Take away all waste<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Do not light fires<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Respect for fauna and flora<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Now that you know all the wonders of Spargi, you may be wondering: what is the best way to visit it?<\/p>\n Our\u00a0vintage sailing ship Leonidas<\/strong>\u00a0is the ideal choice for discovering the island. Here's why:<\/p>\n Sailing means travelling at the rhythm of nature. You can silently approach the coves, admire the colours that change with the light, enjoy every moment without haste.<\/p>\n Thanks to its small size and shallow draft, the Leonidas can approach beaches and coves where larger boats cannot reach.<\/p>\n With a maximum of 12 passengers on board, the atmosphere is familiar and the skipper can devote attention to each guest, telling anecdotes and trivia about the islands.<\/p>\n Sailing means zero emissions while sailing, the most sustainable way to visit a protected area such as the National Park.<\/p>\n During a day trip to the archipelago, Spargi is usually given a break of 1-2 hours, enough time for swimming, relaxing on the beach and snorkelling.<\/p>\n No, the island is uninhabited and there are no accommodation facilities. Overnight stays are not permitted.<\/p>\n No, the only exception is Cala Spalmatore, where small seasonal kiosks can be found in summer. For the rest, the island is completely wild: bring everything you need.<\/p>\n Cala Corsara is considered the most beautiful, but Cala Granara, Cala Soraya and Cala Spalmatore are definitely worth a visit.<\/p>\n Absolutely! The seabed around Spargi is among the richest in the archipelago. The best areas are around Cala Corsara and Cala Spalmatore .<\/p>\n Organised boat trips leave from the port of Palau. The crossing takes about 30-40 minutes.<\/p>\n The island of Spargi is one of the brightest pearls of the La Maddalena Archipelago. With its white beaches, crystal-clear waters, wild nature and thousand-year-old history, it is a must-see for anyone visiting this corner of paradise.<\/p>\n And what better way to discover it than on board a\u00a0vintage sailing ship<\/strong>, sailing in silence, respecting the environment and having an authentic and unforgettable experience?<\/p>\n Our\u00a0Leonidas<\/strong>\u00a0awaits you in the port of Palau to take you on a discovery of Spargi and all the wonders of the Archipelago. Whether you choose the shared tour or the customised exclusive, we guarantee you a day you will hardly forget.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49\u00a0Book your sailing trip to La Maddalena!<\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Guida all’Isola di Spargi: Cala Corsara, Cala Granara e le Spiagge Pi\u00f9 Belle dell’Arcipelago Scopri la perla selvaggia del Parco Nazionale della Maddalena, tra spiagge bianchissime e fondali da sogno Benvenuto a bordo! Oggi ti portiamo alla scoperta di\u00a0Spargi, la terza isola pi\u00f9 grande dell’Arcipelago di La Maddalena e probabilmente la pi\u00f9 amata dai visitatori […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13893,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13875","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-senza-categoria"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingsanpaolo.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13875","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingsanpaolo.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingsanpaolo.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingsanpaolo.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingsanpaolo.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13875"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingsanpaolo.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13875\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13880,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingsanpaolo.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13875\/revisions\/13880"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingsanpaolo.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13893"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingsanpaolo.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13875"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingsanpaolo.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13875"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingsanpaolo.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13875"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Where is the Island of Spargi and how to get there<\/h2>\n
How to get to Spargi<\/h3>\n
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Why Spargi is considered one of the Most Beautiful Islands in the Mediterranean<\/h2>\n
A bit of history<\/h3>\n
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Spargi's Most Beautiful Beaches: Detailed Guide<\/h2>\n
1. Cala Corsara: The Queen of Spargi<\/h3>\n
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2. Cala Granara: The Quiet Corner<\/h3>\n
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3. Cala Soraya (or Soraja)<\/h3>\n
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4. Cala Spalmatore: The Main Beach<\/h3>\n
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5. Cala Conneri (Love Cove)<\/h3>\n
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6. Cala d'Alga and Cala Piscioli<\/h3>\n
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7. Cala Bonifazzinca and Cala Canniccio<\/h3>\n
8. Cala Pietranera and Cala Piscioli<\/h3>\n
What to do in Spargi Besides Beaches<\/h2>\n
Snorkelling and Diving<\/h3>\n
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Nature Trails<\/h3>\n
Fauna observation<\/h3>\n
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Nuragic Traces<\/h3>\n
Practical Information for the Visit<\/h2>\n
When to go to Spargi<\/h3>\n
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What to bring<\/h3>\n
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Rules to Respect<\/h3>\n
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Why Visit Spargi with a Period Yacht<\/h2>\n
The Advantage of Slowness<\/h3>\n
Access to the Most Beautiful Creeks<\/h3>\n
Customised Experience<\/h3>\n
Respect for the Environment<\/h3>\n
Frequently Asked Questions about Spargi<\/h2>\n
How long does it take to visit Spargi?<\/h3>\n
Is it possible to stay overnight in Spargi?<\/h3>\n
Are there restaurants or bars in Spargi?<\/h3>\n
What is the most beautiful beach in Spargi?<\/h3>\n
Can you snorkel at Spargi?<\/h3>\n
How do you reach Spargi from Palau?<\/h3>\n
Conclusion: Spargi is waiting for you<\/h2>\n